Japanese telecom giant KDDI says it has started using the Starlink satellite communications network to help provide mobile phone connectivity anywhere in the country, including remote islands.

The service started Thursday on an island south of Tokyo. Officials demonstrated conducting a video conference using the satellite network operated by US firm SpaceX.

KDDI plans to connect some 1,200 base stations across the country to the network to eliminate coverage dead spots. The company says that will be useful in the event of any disaster.

President of KDDI, Takahashi Makoto said "It is very beneficial for our customers to be able to use mobile phones anywhere, and I think it is very important for us in terms of contributing to society."

KDDI rivals, NTT Docomo and SoftBank, also plan to create networks using satellites.